Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Volkswagen Rabbit
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
VW will probably have to slightly lower the compression to around 9.7:1 to accommodate US-market 87 pump octane
Probably? The twincharger engine REQUIRES 98 Octane. I don't even know where 98 Octane is available.
Ryan
If Car and Driver is to be believed, that 1.4L twincharger got 29 mpg city/46 mpg highway and produced 170 hp and 170 ft-lbs.
Sign me up, please!
All cars have problems.
Another thing that isn't measured in most surveys is the desire to retain the car as it gets older - whether that be due to maintenance problems or just normal deterioration of the suspension, drive train, exterior and interior. For example: in 2001 we got a V6 Passat Wagon - but when the lease was up (100,000 KM's later) the suspension was loose and it felt sluggish. Now the sluggishness was likely due to the 2.0T Jetta we got last fall. Regardless, the mystique the car had at day one will diminish. I guess the only way to measure this would be turnover of ownership. Chrysler Neon anyone?
I do get sad whenever we turn in a leased car: no car more so than the 1.8T Silver Beetle we had. That car had some serious electrical problems that would cause the engine to cut out (loose connection as it turned out) - but I loved driving it.
Jonathan
BTW: Just got a call - my Rabbit is on the truck.
The new "console" area is well designed, finally with usable cupholders. (But no arm rest on the 2 door.)
No more "tilt up" seats for back seat access. The new "slide forward" seats actually work just fine, but if you don't want to have to reset the track position you need to shove the seat back BEFORE you return the seat back to its upright position.
This is a killer car at $15k with all the safety gear and VERY torquey standard engine (base on my test drives of the Jetta and New Beetle with this engine).
The dealer started up the one I was looking at (over my objections) and there was no "rattle" as reported on early 2.5 Jettas.
Ergonomics SEEM the same as the Mark IV - the center console DOES intrude more than many into the leg space - BUT the rear seat room is definitely improved.
This had me salivating, planning on how to upgrade my '06 Cobalt commuter car into this luxo, yet sporty, mobile.
Badges on the back are as understated as can be - no "Rabbit" name, just the hare logo and the 2.5.
It's a nice drive for the price...
Try driving a Yaris hatch loaded up with power package and all, back to back with a 2-door base Rabbit, for the same price. Oh, what a world of difference in just about every aspect of the car and the drive. The only advantage the Yaris would have in equipment is the alloy wheels, and you would be very lucky to find one Toyota had built with the side curtain airbags. The Golf would be the better buy IMO, but for the terrible fuel economy. There aren't a lot of 2-door hatches to compete with the Golf, except for a couple of the subcompacts like the Accent and the Yaris.
Now, as for 4-door hatchbacks, the Golf makes a decent proposition at $17K, but there are some pretty good alternatives.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Also, I don't think they are trying to kid anyone into thinking the rabbit is different than the golf, as when I went to look at the rabbit, they were very straightforward about it being the new Golf, just with a new name.
Obviously, the Rabbit isn't right for you, but that doesn't mean its not a good fit for many others.
LeftLane News article
Does that sound right? I hope it's true, and that it carries over to Canadian pricing as well. I'm seriously thinking about my first new car and I'd hate to rule out the Rabbit due to pricing. Here in Canada I could get a nicely-equipped 5-door Yaris LE hatchback for less than the starting price of a Rabbit. If VW could price the base Rabbit at a similar level without sacrificing too many extras, they might make me change my mind!
It is welcome news that VW is bringing the price of the Jetta down from the stratosphere. I guess the move upmarket didn't quite work out as they wanted.
This pair is pulling the fuel economy of V-6 full-size sedans from competing brands, not to mention being exceeded by VW's own 2.0T. That's not good news in these times of high gas prices. Maybe the price cut will help convince more people to ignore that fact.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Another factor is interest rates (for most) and the Honda's are at 8% - along with the residual if you are leasing. I am getting a fully loaded 4dr tomorrow for $400 CDN (including taxes) per month (48 month/100,000 KM VCI lease) - total up front is $450 CDN.
CDN$ Price breakdown:
Base - 20,990
Convenience package - 605 (upgraded radio, etc)
16" Alloys - 565
Power Sunroof - 1400
ESP - 450
Rear Side Airbags - 450
PDI - 495
Total: 24,955.00
For $400 CDN/month I believe I got a lot of car.
Jonathan
The "news" article has a confusing title.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Most of the engine noise is below 60 KM/H when accelerating briskly. (> 3000 RPM)
I miss a leather steering wheel: maybe I can get a Jetta one installed.
LOL! My side aches!
However, the European measurement of Octane rating and USA measurement of Octane rating are two very different things. For example, the current BMW 330i with the N54 3.0-liter I-6 engine and 3-stage induction system has pretty much the same compression ratio for the European version and the US version, which means that engine can run using US-standard 91 pump Octane gasoline without engine knocking problems. This means the 1.4-liter TSI could probably be sold in the USA if VW does mandate the use of 91 pump Octane unleaded gasoline.
Probably? The twincharger engine REQUIRES 98 Octane. I don't even know where 98 Octane is available.
However, the European measurement of Octane rating and USA measurement of Octane rating are two very different things. For example, the current BMW 330i with the N54 3.0-liter I-6 engine and 3-stage induction system has pretty much the same compression ratio for the European version and the US version, which means that engine can run using US-standard 91 pump Octane gasoline without engine knocking problems. This means the 1.4-liter TSI could probably be sold in the USA if VW does mandate the use of 91 pump Octane unleaded gasoline.
Yes. Moreover, and I hate to disagree with moparbad, this engine simply prefers high octane gas - it does not require it.
Anstelle von bleifreiem Super Plus ist auch ein Betrieb mit bleifreiem Superbenzin (mind. 95 ROZ) bei Inkaufnahme von Fahrleistungs- und Verbrauchsnachteilen möglich.
I like the new Rabbit. But VW has a huge wall of suspicion in terms of reliability and dealership service/quality to overcome if the Rabbit is to have long term staying power as a sales success.
I also think that the fact that its fuel economy is no better than a 3,500 pound mid-sized VW Passat should be a real embarrassment to VW engineers.
There simply is no excuse for not achieving higher fuel economy with an entry level compact car in an era of high gasoline prices.
One last thing - Very few $15,000 Rabbits seem to be making it to dealership lots. If VW thinks people are going to pay $19,000 for an entry level compact car, they'd better think again, but harder the 2nd time.
My humble advice? Don't "hop" to buy a Rabbit. Patience may be richly rewarded.
It is a 3200 pound car. It uses regular gas and is not a turbo. The Jetta has had real world test of gas mileage by Consumer Reports, mileage was comparable to other cars of similar weight.
CR test measured 17/33/24 mpg (city/hwy/ mixed) for the 2.5 engine in ~3300# Jetta.
For comparison, the 4 cyl 2005 Camry, weighing about the same, 16/34/24 mpg. 2005 4 cyl Altima,also about the same weight, 16/30/23 mpg. Most recent 4 cyl Accord review I could find in CR was from 2003, measured 16/38/24 mpg (weight about 150# less than Jetta).
Why even design a 3,200 pound compact car that gets comparable mileage to the same company's mid-sized car?
Why even design a 3,200 pound compact car at all?
A better match would have been a sub 3000 pound car with a Honda-esque fuel effiency model engine.
Like the Civic.
If you claim the Civic isn't large enough, or heavy enough, you've conceded the point.
Man I've been waiting for my Rabbit for about 2 weeks now. the dealer said the rabbit that im looking for is on the way here from Wolfsburg, Germany.
Hey at least it is a German made!!! late version will be coming from Brazil and Mexico.
so many features and standards that previous golf never had!!!
Believe or not they are all sold out and most of those rabbits are all coming from Wolfsburg Germany. That means people already placed their reservations months before the launching date last month.
I think VW doesen't have to be reasonable to put a $19k price tag for a hatchback like rabbit. Just look at the improvements they made and new standard features they added. You will get your money worth!!
I, myself always check the specs of this car everytime I visited the dealeship. so much improvements. i also look at it's competitors but i always end up with buying a rabbit.
Keep in mind, when VW launch the Golf/Rabbit MK V in 2003, it was a huge hit in Europe and eventually won the "Car of The Year Award"
I just can't wait of getting mine.
1. High-speed/low-speed accident
2. Shame related to rusting (where's my little Pony)
3. Engine fell out
4. Old age (15 years or older)
5. Parts/labour too expensive
6. Uninsurable
7. Car wouldn't stop (ended up in the lake)
8. Spontaneous combustion (or non-spontaneous)
9. Natural disaster (insert favourite deity here)
10. Fuel too expensive
The results would be interesting: as it would also speak of the type of person who bought the car and how they drove it. I am not sure I'd want to buy a car that I had driven for four years. (especially not my first VW: a G60 Corrado)
Jonathan
Since this is my first VW, I cant compare the quality to Mexico built models, but can only say that fit/finish etc. is top notch.
Personally, that was a selling point for me having the car made in Germany.
Why?
These may well have been early builds, and taken care of by now...
A German car, built in Germany.... just has a better ring to it.
WHERE a car is made has nothing to do with quality. The Rabbits built in Pennsylvania were generally considered to be very poor quality. The Golfs (including my own '96) built in Mexico were generally very good. What is important is the quality and training of the employees, commitment of management and quality of componenet suppliers.
My own idle speculation would be the Mexican workers are probably happy to have these good jobs. Who knows, maybe the Germans (and immigrant guest workers in Germany) have poor morale because VW would like to cut their pay or benefits or send their jobs elsewhere.
Why would they need to cut corners at the Mexican plant, because they save money on labor costs? That makes absolutely no sense. If anything, that seems more likely to be something that would be done at the German plant to offset the high labor costs.
How much of the assembly process is automated anyway? Do you think the machines care if they are in Germany or Mexico?
The only significant problem so far with our, assembled in Mexico, Jetta was with the transmission...which is from Japan.
I think it is a perception issue. People who buy VW think that they are purchasing a German made automobile. It really should not matter where the car is produced as long as it is produced with the same standards and quality from the German factory.
I am definitely not a racist, but I'll admit I was surprised when I learned that my 99 Jetta VR6 was produced in Mexico not Germany. Only because I grew up thinking that VW=German made....
The base price is however $10,000 CDN more than the base 4 Door Rabbit = around $250 CDN more per month on a four year lease (including tax). I am also told the insurance is higher on the GTI's - and not solely on the price differential.
Considering my Jetta 2.0T is only $100 CDN more per month than my 4 Door Rabbit = a good deal on the Jetta. (though I guess I should be comparing the GLI with the GTI)
Other stuff:
- 4th tank of gas = 25 MPG
- Here's a racist comment for you about the auto manufacturing process: I hope that nobody with a hangover from sugar-laden German wines worked on my Rabbit as it may have prevented the seal around the windshield from curing properly
All Jettas WORLDWIDE are coming out of the Mexico plant.
"Quality" has several aspects: design engineering, production engineering, subcontractor assembly quality, and final assembly quality. The nationality of the workers on the line has just about absolutely NOTHING to do with the final product.
Past issues in the Mexican plant have had to do with picking the wrong suppliers for the cars being built there, and taking too long to deal with the problems when they became evident. The new Jetta's assembly quality appears fine - whether VW has picked the right suppliers this time around is open to debate, since the cars haven't been out there on the road that long.
VW doesn't have the management discipline of Toyota when it comes to moving their assembly lines outside of Germany, so it has taken longer [far too long] to get it right. But the issues are the same wherever the car is finally screwed together - what matters is how the company picked the suppliers for the major components, and how well they follow up on problems that develop. The language spoken in the plant parking lot doesn't much matter, one way or the other.
to those who read WAY too much into a simple comment....
My ONLY basis for saying I felt the German build might be better....
Was the fact that early Mexcan built Jetta's had lot of quality issues...
If the problem cars had been built in Germany...and the new Rabbit's built in Mexico...maybe I would have been excited that they were built in Mexico.
Another example of poor early Mexico built vehicles was the Focus....
Had a 2000, that was in the shop with recalls at least 5 times the first year.... it all has to do with experiences....
nothing to do with "Race".
Ok, you were 20 in 1985 and liked your Rabbit. Now you are 40, are you supposed to drive a car named Rabbit? Are you supposed to drive it *again* if you drove it 20 years ago? Hardly These times have passed. So, Rabbit is not for 40-yr olds.
If you are 20-25-30 now, then the name "Rabbit" tells you nothing, this car has always been Golf for you. Nice, respectable name for a respectable hatcback with slightly dull though classy styling and high-quality materials. Renaming it to Rabbit is stupid, the car is 200 pounds heavier than its predecessor and barely gets 30 mpg, it cannot hop. Oh I get it, it is an american rabbit. It eats hamburgers, not carrots.
Rabbit? Oh come on. 7-yr olds do not buy cars. I will never buy a Golf christened Rabbit, ever.